Just got a letter from Sen. Robert Byrd

[joemurphy]

It contains words from an address given to the U.S. Senate on December 19, 2005:

"Now comes the stomach-churning revelation through an executive order, that President Bush has circumvented both the Congress and the courts. He has usurped the third branch of government -- the branch charged with protecting the civil liberties of our people -- by directing the National Security Agency to intercept and eavesdrop on the phone conversations and e-mails of American citizens without a warrant, which is a clear violation of the Fourth Amendment. He has rationalized the use of domestic civilian surveillance with a flimsy claim that he has such authority because we are at war.

What is the President thinking?"

But what was Robert Byrd thinking when he voted for Samuel Alito?

Byrd's letter asks for money. I'm not giving him a dime.

[Skink]

1. He's thinking impeachment. 07 is right around the corner.

[wakeme2008]

2. send it back with

What were you thinking voting for Alito.

:)

[blue cat]

3. send back a reply

and tell them why. now is the time to do it.

[laheina]

6. hi blue cat!

Welcome to DU! :hi:

And yes, I think you are correct. It's a timely opportunity that should not be wasted.

[az chela]

4. I had saved a copy of that letter

And emailed it back to him after he voted for Alito and told him I know longer respected him or his letter

[Dr.Phool]

5. I got one from him last Friday

3 days after the Alito confirmation vote. I sent a letter telling him that I've always enjoyed his eloquence on the Senate floor, and had I received his letter on Monday, I would have happily sent him a check. But then I would have stopped payment on it Tuesday evening.

[ladjf]

7. I've forgiven Byrd twice, (1) the KKK connection and (2) his

speech on the Senate floor castigating Clinton's behavior (not that he didn't deserve it). But, the Alito vote against the filibuster did it for me. No more Byrd on my good Dems list. I don't want to see him wave that copy of the Constitution while Alito is busy abusing the law.

[radio4progressives]

8. please let him know why you're not sending money...

other wise, he'll buy into more of the GOP bullshit, that it was all about gay marriage or abortion or some such bullshit.

let him know the Alito confirmation confirmed to you that he doesn't care anymore about the constitution than any of these other charlatans, otherwise he would have lead the fight against someone who is KNOWN to have written the policy papers on signing statements, giving the president dictatorial powers etc etc ..

let Senator Byrd KNOW WHY you're not sending money to him, please..

[KoKo]

9. He ripped my heart out and stomped on it with his vote for Bankruptcy

Bill and Alito. I still love him for his great speaches against the Iraq War Resolution and he was an inspiration to those of us who tried to stop that War of Agression...

but...he ripped my heart out...:-(

[radio4progressives]

10. mine too.. i'm feeling really really lousy right now.. n/t

[joemurphy]

11. Here's the Letter I wrote back to Byrd.

Dear Senator Byrd:

I guess I got on your “Friends” list by sending you money shortly after your valiant fight to forestall our disastrous war in Iraq and eliminate the “blank check” that Congress gave the President to commence that war. My $75.00 donation at that time was heartfelt and intended to help you because you stated that you had been “targeted” by Republicans for ouster.

Accordingly, it is with deep regret that I’m returning your most recent request for funds to help with your reelection. I do so because I feel you totally betrayed my prior trust and admiration when you saw fit to recently not only support the filibuster against Judge Samuel Alito, but, astonishingly, vote in favor of him.

Judge Alito stands for all of the threats to the system of “checks and balances” that you deplore in the marvelous speech you gave on the Senate floor, a copy of which you sent with your letter requesting my donation.

Your vote was a kick in the teeth to all those good Democrats who, for once, were trying to stand up for the Constitution and its beautiful and intricate system of “checks and balances” you stated were under threat in your speech.

Kindly delete my name from your “Friends of Robert Byrd” mailing list. And don’t send me any more speeches espousing positions that you vote against. And don’t ask me for any more money to defeat Republicans when your votes demonstrate that you are no better than they are.

Sincerely,

joemurphy

[Capn Sunshine]

12. You know that postage paid envelope?

Put your letter in a box with ten pounds of lead fishing weights, and glue the envelope to the box.

That way he'll be sure to see your answer.